ALCOAST 384/20 - OCT 2020 ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD CROSS

R 141427 OCT 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 384/20
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ:  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COAST GUARD CROSS
A. Coast Guard Military Medals and Awards Manual, COMDTINST M1650.25 (series)
1. The Coast Guard Cross was established by Act of Congress, Public Law 281, 111th
Congress, enacted on 15 October 2010. The medal was designed by Chris Rose, Coast Guard
Reservist Magazine and Charles V. Mugno, Director, The Institute of Heraldry, U.S. Army.
The Coast Guard Cross is second only to the Medal of Honor and, to date, has not been
awarded.
2. Criteria: The Coast Guard Cross may be awarded to military or civilian personnel,
serving in any capacity within the Coast Guard, when the Coast Guard is not operating
under the Department of the Navy, who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism
that does not justify the award of the Medal of Honor: 
    a. while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
    b. while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign
force or international terrorist organization; or
    c. while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against
an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
3. Description:
    a. Obverse: A gold medal 2-1/4 inches high by 1-3/4 inches wide consisting of a
Cross Aiguise with anchors radiating outwards between the arms of the cross. Extended
from the uppermost arm are two oars per saltire, paddles to chief, with a rope wrapped
around the oar handles and incorporating a ribbon ring behind the paddles. Centered on
the cross and encircled by a laurel wreath of 26 enameled green leaves is a shield
similar to that found in the Great Seal of the United States. The stripes of the shield
are alternating red and white color enamel, while the shield is enameled in blue with 13
white five-pointed stars.
    b. Reverse: The reverse is identical to the obverse, except the center does not have
a shield. In the center is the inscription “FOR” arched above and “VALOR” arched below.
Space is available for engraving the recipient’s name and date of award.
    c. Ribbon: The cross is suspended from a 1-3/8 inch ribbon of navy blue. In the center
is a 5/32-inch stripe of scarlet, flanked by 1/16-inch stipes of ultramarine blue,
bordered in white.
4. Symbolism:
    a. Medal: The Cross stands for personal sacrifice. The center portion symbolizes the
National Coat of Arms which signifies representation and allegiance encircled by the
laurel wreath, which symbolizes honor. The anchor, crossed oars, and entwined rope are
familiar Coast Guard and maritime symbols and describes the marine environment where
these acts of valor were performed.
    b. Ribbon: Dark blue signifies loyalty and devotion, white represents purity,
ultramarine blue symbolizes thoughtfulness and truth, and scarlet signifies courage,
patriotism, and valor.
5. The award criteria has been included in the current version of REF (A). Pictures of
the obverse and reverse of the medal and accoutrements are available to view at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/Medals%20and%20Awards/Lists/Military%20Awards%20
Program%20Announcements/Attachments/4/Coast%20Guard%20Cross%20-%20Pictures.pdf
6. All questions should be directed to CG PSC-PSD-ma at: ARL.Medals@uscg.mil.
7. RADM J. M. Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.